Jem555 vs. Jem7VWH - Which is better?

[wemedge]

Originally Posted by martin.dugdale

Is it just me or does everyone seem completely blind to the idea of value for money, bad-mouthing the 555 when its quite clearly a fine guitar.

Of course if you double the money you spend you damn well ought to get a better guitar!!!! Also, how could a JEM555 be rated as number 10 in the top ten New Guitars poll in the UK's Guitar Buyer magazine if it was a substandard instrument.

It is obviously worth noting earlier points as to the higher quality of similar priced RGs... but i personally feel the aesthetic of the JEM is well worth the extra pennies [or cents, wherever you're reading this]. That doesn't imply its a polished s**t though.

So reality check. You get what you pay for. They're both good value, its just a matter of personal financial priority.

Hi Martin:

You are correct, both guitars can be judged on their own merit.

However, not "everyone" bad mouths the 555. Granted, emotions tend to run high sometimes when one discusses the lo trs, half-vine etc., Many of the posts I've read, including a Jemsite commentary on the 555 gives it its due merit.

I don't think most readers would disagree with you that in the case of the Jem7vWh and the 555, you do get what you pay for. Anyway, the original post asked for opinions on the 555 COMPARED to the Jem7vWh, and that's what he got.

So, to answer your question, no, everyone is not completely blind to the idea of value for money, just a tad emotional about their favorite axe.

cheers
Wemedge

[Claudio Passamani]

I had the hapiness of having both at same time the 555 and 7v.. course the 7 v is most beautiful and the alder body gives a diferent (not better) tone.. ( just reminding that the same basswood that goes to flo and UV , goes to 555s too)
Well.. anyway.. ive installed a lo pro edge tremolo and a fsk 401 sustainer kit on in my 555 and its doing fine.. screamin like FLO.. in matter effect i saw some pictures of FLO with a 555 neck here in jemsite.. course the 7v is better.. but stpo the nazi stuff.. if youre short money customize a 555 and you'll have a fine axe...
and for those who like car comparition.. please watch this litte video..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im9-hPqi97c

long live volkswagen and 555's..
long live to ferraris an 7v

p.s. even if the people here dont like the 555 theres much better pics of 555 to put in gallery section.. please updated it.. and other stuff like the bad horsie pic.. ait linked to the ibanez official site.. that dont have pixs from BMRs.. and wheres the 20th pics?

[minivai]

i have the 555 and love it!!!!i dont care what people say as the only diff. is the trem!

[SpikeSocietySucks]

Originally Posted by minivai

i have the 555 and love it!!!!i dont care what people say as the only diff. is the trem!

yeah! and Hell is freezing over as we speak......

I'm not going to even bother to you all the differences you just missed out.

I'll leave that to you, go check out the report of the JEMV7 at ibanezrules.com namm 2005, (the links at the top of the page) and then think about that.

The 555 is an adequete guitar, but next to a Real Jem it doesn't compare.

[Allen Garrow]

LOL,, if you gotta ask,,, you should buy the 555

[GuitarAkuma]

Problem is with the new 555 spec the only visual difference between it and the 7v is the inlay, are Ibanez shooting themselves in the foot?

I mean the both have the same plating thickness, pickups, trem, neck the scary question today is, is it REALLY such a bad purchase based on todays spec??

And no I would never buy one!

[Tom Gilroy]

This summer I hope to get work for 5 days a week, 8 hours a day and for 12 weeks. Why? because I want a Jem, and not just any Jem. I want the 2005 Jem7vwh. That guitar costs €2500 over here and the mods I will make will cost between €300-€500 depending on if I can get a sustainer system. I could just go for the 555 for €1000 less and make the same mods but I don't see the point when I would eventually upgrade to a 7vwh. That's what it is, an upgrade, you get what you pay for and I don't mind paying for quality. I'm sixteen and I am not rich. I will work very hard for this guitar because I know it is worth it. Remember though that the 555 is a good guitar too. It's just nowhere as good as the 7vwh. Now how do I go about earning that €3000...

[The Rhythm]

ps omg someone from Galway!!! lol Wicklow myself, man if you dont wanna kill urself working i recommend the 555bk, its sweet really sweet i had to find a woman who would let me sleep with it before i could commit to a relationship!!!!! its a great guitar but yet again its probably the only decent guitar ive ever played, i aint willing to pay more than 1500 for a guitar, thats 1000 over wat it should be! lol

[Tom Gilroy]

I'm willing to work. All the Jems I played were either an FP or a 7. So I'm pretty set on the 7vwh. I want it to be as good if not better than I remembered. I should be able to get the cash together. I'll need a full time job but I know it'll be worth it. I've figured out I could probably get the guitar and mods for under €2500. So some slight relief there. I'm not gonna go fo the sustainer though.

[Flobanez]

Im going with the 7VWH which I first picked up and played in a music store 6 years ago and loved it.
It's definately a nice guitar however, The first Jem I ever played was a 77FP back in 1991.
I have always liked the Floral the best since then.

[radu]

I currently have a white 555, which is my main guitar. I've been blessed with a really nice copy. The neck is near perfect, it stays in tune very well, and feels and sounds great.

I am considering buying another main guitar, though. For two main reasons:

1. Although the TRS trem isn't as bad as is generally claimed in my view, one thing is christal clear: the feel is a lot stiffer, thus making it a lot harder to use it with any kind of harmonic discretion. Playing those Vai / trem runs is just very hard. Compared to the chunky feel of a TRS, the Edge feels velvetty .. a lot smoother, more controlled.

2. Although the wood of my neck is immaculate for a 555-class guitar, the frets aren't. Instead of jumbo frets, the 555 neck is fitted with mediums. These kinda play easier than jumbo frets but have a less decisive, precise feel .. and jumbos tend to sustain a bit longer (at least that's what they feel like to me). Right now I'm at a point where I don't really want to compromize anymore - I want my technique to develop well. Jumbos are a tad harder to play on, but they're well worth it imo

I'm hunting for a 7DBK now, but unfortunately they've been discontinued, so finding one will be a challenge. A 7vwh, a very fine instrument of course, doesn't really appeal to me since I'd feel I'd be playing Vai's guitar as opposed to my own.

[amanvai]

Sometimes reading all this is a little discouraging for someone with a 555. I have a JEM 555 which I'm really happy with, but after hearing all about this it just gets me thinking. I have played a JEM 7 and its the neck and its ease that really make the difference, but I don't think I can get it right now.

I'm not sure what I should do? Should I get a JEM 7 neck fitted in? The thing is I can't buy a new guitar not just because of the money, but also because I made a decision to get a JEM 555 and I have to respect that and the guitar, which to play makes me almost as happy as playing a JEM 7, maybe I have a really great JEM 555. Can someone help me?

The JEM 7 is great. If you can afford it, and you're ready for it, then get it. Also remember, starting out on the best guitar is great, but is it whats great for a guitarist? Steve Vai didn't start out on a JEM, he started out on his gutiar which wasn't the best, as the JEM 7 would be now. Its perhaps better to develop technique and playing and to be able to do it on not the best guitar, isn't it?

I know this isn't relevant to this but can someone help me? And to address this question, if you're ready for it, get a JEM 7. It'll be a better decision.

[Nordhauser]

Let's just say, JEM7VWH.

[mi2tom]

7VWH plain & simple

[chlamy]

I don't really understand this thread, lol. It does basically come down to finances IMO. If you have the money, the vwh is certainly a much better guitar, there is no doubt about it.

On the other side, I do think that if you're just getting started for the price of a 7vwh you could get the 555 + an amp + straps + strings + picks + tab books and whatever ... and enjoy many years of fun ! The new (EPII) trem on the 555 isn't that bad, and certainly enough for the use of a beginner or someone with moderate trem usage.

It just basically comes down to what has been overdiscussed on jemsite (do we need more of this discussion ?) : 555 or high-end RG ... Well, if you want the best value playing guitar, get a RG and upgrade with real DMs, but if you want that Vaisih look (monkey grip, vine ....) well the 555 is as close as you get in that price range.

On a final note, I started on a JS100 upgraded with SDs and really had years and years of joyful playing, before I felt the need (and had the money) to upgrade to higher priced JEMs ... so a 555 might be just fine for years of happiness. But I do agree : go out and test play the 'one' you are buying ;-)